Best Pet Door Reviews 2018

Looking for a pet door that fits your budget and the right size for your pet can be fun, depending on how you do it. Something sturdy and durable is probably what you're looking for, and, lucky for you, we've picked 5 top brands that we believe will give you the best results. Do note, however, that these brands carry several types of pet doors beyond the single product from each listed here. We hope you have as much fun deciding what's best for you as we did when picking these out.

Overview

PROS

CONS

SPECS

Pet Size

Overall Size

Opening

Materials

Extras

Our Top Choice

PetSafe Wall Entry Aluminum Pet Doors

PetSafe produces functional doors for pets. This pet door matches the quality we’ve come to associate with PetSafe and can be installed in both interior and exterior walls.

Can be installed in any door or wall - exterior or interior.

Doesn’t have the best weatherproofing.

Up to 100 pounds

14.25 x 21.06 inches

11.44 x 18.13 inches

Aluminum frame, durable plastic

2 flaps for energy efficiency

Best Value

Perfect Pet TubbyKat™ Door with Lexan Flap

Perfect Pet is well-known for top quality pet products. This is a great pet door that allows your pets to move with ease wherever it’s placed.

Easy to install and use.

Lock switch may be too short, allowing your pet to use the door when locked.

Up to 25 pounds

14.7 x 9.6 inches

8.25 x 13.75 inches

Transparent unbreakable LEXAN

Flap with four locking options

Ideal Pet Products Ruff-Weather™ Telescoping Pet Door

When only the best is good enough, you get Ideal Pet Products. This energy-efficient pet door stands all types of weather conditions.

Durable, easy to install.

You may need to purchase additional products for setup

Up to 120 pounds

19.1 x 28.6 inches

8.38 x 15 inches

Structural foam plastic; vinyl

Energy efficient double flap

SureFlap Microchip Cat Door (Flap Style)

SureFlap is a brand renowned for making top quality pet products. Its dedication to customer satisfaction and continuous improvement is reflected in the Microchip Cat Door.

Solidly made and well-built. Has easy-to-follow instructions

The door can be pulled open from the outside.

Fits most cats

8.15 x 9.21 inches

7 x 6.69 inches

Info NOT provided

Programmable/Identifies your pet

Carlson Expandable Pet Gate with Door for Smaller Pets

Carlson is a legendary producer of products which make homes more comfortable to live in. This 44" Extra Wide Pet Gate is great for pet owners and parents alike.

How Do I Choose the Best Pet Door?

Pets are not only affectionate companions to humans, they help to instill a sense of responsibility in their owners. Children learn to be caring, sensitive, and practical while taking care of pets that are dependent on them.

Having a pet is often compared to having a baby, because pets are dependent on you to take care of them. You are the one that's responsible for their safety, nutrition, and general wellbeing. Just like a parent would always be on the lookout for baby products to make their lives less stressful, a pet owner is often on the lookout for products to decrease stress and improve their pet’s quality of life. This may be in the form of a luxurious dog bed, sweater or a fun cat tree!

A good pet door is one product does just this, allowing your pet the freedom to enter and leave the house without forcing you to play doorman.

Price

There are many factors that affect the price of pet doors, including the material, design, manufacturer, and features. A good pet door is generally within the price range of around $30 up to about $140.

You may find brands that sell pet doors for a lower or higher price, but you should note that ‘expensive’ is not always synonymous with superior quality. That being said, you shouldn’t go for a super cheap pet door either. During our research, we came across some cheap pet doors and chose not to feature them in this review. Some of these products are made of materials that are not durable or energy efficient.

We assure you that all products and brands listed in this review will offer value for your money.

Features

Although there are many pet doors available, there are important features that must be present to qualify a product as an effective pet door. Here’s what to look for while shopping:

Canopy - Protects your floor from the elements.

Type of Door - Electronic door or Manual door.

Style of Door - This affects the overall performance in relation to where the door is installed.

Safety Features – Arguably the most important factors to look out for.

Quality Materials - Determines the durability of the door.

A Tight Seal - Ensures safety and energy efficiency.

Size – Choose a door that allows room for your pet’s growth.

Construction and Design

Choosing a pet door means considering a few factors. We urge you to strongly consider your preferred pet door’s safety. You don’t want a pet door that may become a leeway for intruders, both human and otherwise. Ensure that the inside lock cannot be reached from outside; the door should not be big enough for an intruder to get in, it should be just the right size for your pet.

Automatic doors are becoming more popular these days, due to their high level of security and energy saving features. These doors are motion activated and will only open when approached by a sensor attached to the pet’s collar. Some doors can even be set not to open when you know it’s not safe for your pet to go outdoors. Their tight seal is also useful for keeping your heat or air conditioning inside and conserving utilities.

Although traditional, manual flap-style doors are the cheapest in the market, they are not the most convenient because you must block them if you want to prevent your pet from using them. Their cheap costs are also outweighed by the repeated escape of heat or cold air each time your pet uses the door. In the long run, the money you save on your purchase will likely be more than spent on increased energy bills.

Performance and Ease of Use

Before purchasing a pet door, you need to know where you will install it. The intended location will affect the necessary size, type, material, and need for professional installation. Having the right size of pet door is also important; remember to consider your pet’s potential growth when deciding on the right fit.

There are different types of pet doors designed for different locations. Some can be installed on doors, while others are specifically made for walls, windows, or glass sliding doors. If intending to install your pet door in your wall, you will require professional assistance to avoid tampering with plumbing, wiring, or structural support.

If you are installing the door yourself, keep in mind that the height measurement from the floor shouldn’t be so high that the pet bumps its head or trips each time it uses the door. This will turn your pet’s newfound freedom into a discouraging experience and lead it to avoid using the door.

What is the Best Pet Door?

We know you want the best pet door available, and the ‘best’ is largely determined by your preferences. Because of this, chose brands that have something for everyone. The reviews below will aid you in deciding the product/brand that has the features that are most important to you.

PetSafe Wall Entry Aluminum Pet Door with Double Flap System for Cats or Dogs – Available in 3 Sizes

PetSafe Pet Door PPA11-10917 – Large

Features

PetSafe is among the most popular pet supplies brand and has a variety of products. Its devotion to making the best products for pets (using the most advanced designs) makes it a brand any animal lover would love to associate with.

The Wall Entry Aluminum Pet Door is great, affordable and can be fitted anywhere in the home. This pet door also has the following features:

Aluminum frame with long-lasting plastic telescoping tunnel

Double flap system and tunnel which make air pockets to help keep your home safe from drafts and weather

Whenever you need well-designed pet products, Perfect Pet easily comes to mind. The TubbyKat Door is very affordable and can accommodate most pet sizes, but if you’re looking for a big plastic all-weather door for your pet, you may want to check out Perfect Pet All-Weather Energy Efficient Dog Door

If you’re looking for a pet door that will last very long, then you need Ideal Pets Products. The Ruff-Weather pet door is good for all climates, but you can also check out the Ideal Pet Products Original Pet Door with Telescoping Frame if you’re looking for something more affordable.

SureFlap gives you smart ways to let your pet move around without worry. The SureFlap Microchip Cat Door is an automated electronic pet door that makes your life easier. If you need an embedded chip that is compatible with the door, then the Pack of Two SureFlap RFID Collar Tags is a good choice.

SureFlap Microchip Selective Entry Cat Door – Works with Microchips or RFID Collars, Available in Brown or White

SureFlap Pet Door 5060180390280 – White

Features

SureFlap, a brand committed to leading the way in pet care innovation, has the solution to your dream pet door. Its passion and excellence is seen in its world class products and the numerous awards it has won, including the Cat Friendly Award in 2014.

The SureFlap Microchip Cat Door is a smart door that will help you monitor the movement of your pet and operates reliably with RFID microchip technology. You can also program the door to lock and unlock at specified times
Here are some of its other features:

Carlson’s mission of solving problems with great design and clever thinking has been showcased in the 44" Extra Wide Pet Gate. If you want your pet gate a little taller, then check out Carlson Pet Products Carlson Extension Kit for Extra Tall Pet Gate. This allows small pets pass through while still keeping the bigger ones inside.
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Carlson Walk Through Gate with Pet Door – Lift Handle, 29-Inches Expands to 44-Inches, Extensions and Other Sizes Available

Carlson Pet Door 0930 PW DS – Extra Wide

Features

With great reviews everywhere, Carlson knows exactly how to deliver top-notch quality to its customers in affordable packages. This shows clearly in the Carlson Expandable Pet Gate.

The Carlson Expandable Pet Gate is a very safe product. What makes it so good is that it can also serve as a gate for your kids without harming either the child or your pet. Here are some of its features...